183 Chapter 181 : No Retreat?
At this pivotal moment of Pedro's sacrifice, viewers from all around the world tuned in to the live broadcast.
Their emotions surged. Though the scene was fleeting, it felt eternal to them.
The sky live screen unfurled before them, painting vivid vignettes of Pedro's journey, his encounters with Roger from his childhood lingering in memory.
Roger's casual remark echoed through time... "Everyone has their moment to shine!"
For Pedro, this became his life's mission.
In this moment of reckoning, Pedro, who had been lost for so long, finally found his moment to shine.
Risking life and limb to vanquish the Candy Minister and liberate the pirate crew from their chains, Pedro's valor and selflessness resonated deeply with viewers worldwide, including luminaries like Whitebeard, Garp, Sengoku, Shanks, and others.
In this moment, Pedro stood as a paragon of courage.
Though his strength may have seemed modest to some, his willingness to sacrifice everything earned universal respect.
Even Akainu, perennially critical of the Straw Hats, couldn't help but admire Pedro, a member of the Mink Tribe. To him, Pedro embodied the essence of a true warrior.
In Water 7, Luffy and his companions were transfixed by Pedro's resolve to ensure their escape at any cost.
Though they had never met Pedro, they had journeyed with him through the vicissitudes of the world, holding him dear as a friend.
As Pedro laid down his life to secure their freedom, a profound unease settled upon them. Big Mom's power loomed overwhelming, rendering them helpless.
They lacked the strength to challenge her directly.
Only through Pedro's sacrifice could they hope to escape.
In this moment, their vulnerability stared back at them, a reminder of the world's harsh truths—weakness, the primal sin.
To protect their comrades and confront their adversaries, strength was imperative.
A somber silence descended, even upon those like Nami, Usopp, and others who had once been boisterous. Tears welled in many eyes.
Luffy's trademark grin vanished, replaced by a steely resolve tinged with anger.
With fists clenched, he rose to his feet.
His gaze fixed upon Big Mom's imposing form, he declared with unwavering determination,
"I will defeat her..."
"I will honor Pedro's sacrifice!"
"I will not let any of my nakama perish before me!"
In this moment, the scene unfolded, a testament to courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of camaraderie.
[Even as everyone took advantage of the wind to flee the Whole Cake Island area...]
[Back on the sea, thousands of meters away!]
[Yet, the crisis remains unresolved!]
[For aboard the ship lurks a formidable foe!]
[None other than one of the three Sweet Commanders, the pinnacle of strength...]
[Katakuri!]
[Throughout, he has remained inert, having foreseen every potential outcome!]
[With Pedro's explosion beyond his control, the Straw Hats' escape was inevitable!]
[Thus, he opts to confront them himself, aboard the ship!]
[Katakuri harbors absolute confidence in his own might.]
[Perhaps Luffy, Nami, and the others are unaware of the sheer terror before them!]
[But Jinbei, having traveled alongside him, comprehends Katakuri's power to the fullest.]
Fishman Island!
Jinbei has since returned from the Navy Headquarters to Fish-Man Island.
Observing the Straw Hats' flight from Cake Island, yet witnessing Katakuri's lingering presence aboard the ship, his expression shifts.
In due course, he will gain deeper insights into Katakuri's prowess upon his inevitable joining of the Big Mom Pirates.
Despite not yet affiliating with Big Mom Pirates, Jinbei has encountered Big Mom herself!
And with her, one of the three Sweet Commanders, Katakuri!
The magnitude of Katakuri's strength defies description!
As the most esteemed brother and revered powerhouse among all, worldwide!
He stands as the mightiest force within the Big Mom pirate crew, second only to Big Mom herself!
The Big Mom Pirates are reputedly invincible, their Sweet Commanders unwavering pillars of strength!
To be frank, despite Luffy and his crew's significant growth, they pale in comparison to Big Mom!
They are simply not equipped to challenge her!
However, if we're to be exacting, Luffy at this juncture...
Luffy was utterly outmatched against Katakuri! The gaping differences in their bounties, popularity, and strength made it evident.
Even if Luffy managed to defeat one of Big Mom's three Sweet Commanders, there was still an insurmountable gap between them. In a hypothetical battle between Katakuri and Luffy, it seemed unlikely they would exchange more than a handful of blows.
Katakuri effortlessly subdued one of the three Sweet Commanders, Cracker, demonstrating the vast chasm in their abilities. From Jinbei's perspective, taking on Katakuri was beyond the capabilities of the Straw Hat crew at their current level. Indeed, even I felt a pang of inadequacy.
[Katakuri stood with his arms crossed, casting a formidable presence over everyone on the boat.]
[His imposing stature alone weighed heavily on the crew.]
[Brook and Chopper rushed in, only to be swiftly knocked down by Katakuri's powerful punches.]
[Even Sanji found himself expelled by Katakuri's force.]
[Their attacks seemed futile against Katakuri's evasive maneuvers.]
[His overwhelming dominance seemed to dictate the future.]
[Even Luffy's barrage of rubbery punches failed to land a blow.]
[Without intervention, Katakuri would single-handedly dismantle the Straw Hat crew.]
[But then, a sudden turn of events...]
[Brûlée, wielder of the Mirror Fruit and Katakuri's sister, emerged halfway from a mirror.]
[Katakuri's heart raced; he had foreseen this possibility, but it was too late.]
[Brûlée's initial intent was merely to inquire if assistance was needed...]
[However, seizing the opportunity, the cunning Luffy took action!]
[Luffy seized Katakuri with one hand and Brûlée with the other, dragging them both into the mirror!]
[On the other side awaited a vast expanse of the world...]
[Arriving in the Thousand Sunny, Luffy swiftly shattered the mirror behind him with a single punch!]
[Thus, Katakuri and his companions were stranded, while the Straw Hats regrouped!]
[Of course, this action also sealed Luffy's own retreat.]
[Determined to hold off Katakuri alone and buy time for Nami and the others to escape...]
[Observing Luffy's unwavering resolve, Jinbei couldn't help but smile.]
["He's even closed off his own exit."]
["That's what it means to be a captain, isn't it?"]
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